NAFDAC Tasks NYSC On Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control (NAFDAC), has solicited the support of youth corps members in the country towards the eradication of fake and counterfeit drugs and other unwholesome regulated products.

The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Paul Orhii who said this during the inauguration of  Delta State DAFDAC NYSC Community Development service (CPS) in Asaba also urged the corps members to use the community Development service platform to educate and sensitise the public on the incidence of fake, counterfeit and unwholesome products.

Dr Orhii who was represented by the NAFDAC coordinator in Delta State, Mrs Esther Aburime, identified counterfeit drugs to include: relabeled drugs with the intention of extending the shelf life, clones of fast moving drugs herbal preparations fraudulently mixed with orthodox medicine and drugs without full names and address of manufacturer.

He also said that counterfeit drugs can apply to both branded and generic products, adding that NAFDAC strategies of public enlightenment campaigns natural and international collaborations beefing surveillance at port of entry, mopping up of substandard products from circulation and post marketing surveillance have contributed a great deal in combing the mean of unwholesome products.

Speaking on her capacity as the stat coordinator, Mrs Aburime enjoined the corps members to take NAFDAC message to the grassroots through public enlightenment campaign and dissemination of information in their various localities.

She further enjoined them to campaign in schools, hospitals market places and community centres with the view to highlighting NAFDAC messages on what to watch out for, before paying for any regulated products.

The leader of the NAFDAC,NYSC CDS group, Mr Felix Okotie thanked the Agency for the orientation assuring the resolved of the group in carrying out its assignment.